Paternity

Waukesha Wisconsin Paternity Lawyers

Establishing paternity of a child is important for asserting both the rights of a father and a child. If you have been denied custody or visitation of a child you believe to be yours, a paternity test can establish your fatherhood and secure certain parental rights as a result. Likewise, if the father of your child refuses to pay child support, a paternity test can establish his fatherhood and responsibility to provide child support as a result. At the law office of D'Angelo & Jones, our family law attorneys represent clients in paternity actions intended to assert both the rights of fathers and children. Once the question of paternity is settled, our office can then assist clients in pursuing custody, visitation, and child support motions.

For more information regarding paternity issues and how we can help you, contact family law attorneys at D'Angelo & Jones today.  We provide free consultations and our happy to explain the legal options available to you.

Financial Benefits Associated with Paternity

Once paternity is established, certain financial rights come into play for father and child. Since medical coverage, inheritance, and access to benefits require a parental relationship, paternity ensures children will have access to the following:

• Health insurance coverage under father's plan
• Inheritance rights
• Rights during probate of father's estate
• Dependency claims for tax purposes
• Access to father's medical records
• Father's Social Security disability or death benefits

Parental Rights and Paternity

Since fathers have certain rights under Wisconsin state law, paternity allows fathers to pursue the following in regard to their children after paternity is established:

• Visitation rights
• The right to seek custody
• The right to challenge the adoption of their child
• The right to submit a parenting plan

Child Support and Paternity

Establishing paternity also allows a custodial parent to seek child support from the father of their son or daughter. Even if the biological father is not listed on the birth certificate, once a paternity test establishes their fatherhood, they can be required to pay child support. Our child support lawyers will initiate court proceedings to order a father to pay child support after fatherhood is established by a paternity test.

Getting the Test -- What's Involved

A paternity test is typically ordered by the court after a request is brought forward by either the father or the mother of a child. A blood test or cotton swab sample collected from inside the mouth is used to analyze DNA and genetic material. Our family law attorneys will prepare all necessary paperwork and initiate any hearing required to mandate compliance with the collection of DNA samples

Contact Paternity Attorneys at D'Angelo & Jones Today

Whether you're seeking to establish fatherhood or are involved in a paternity contest, we have the legal experience and procedural knowledge needed to help you to obtain a paternity test establishing visitation rights or collecting child support. To schedule a free consultation and discuss your case, contact D'Angelo & Jones  today.